If you're going to shoot between f/1.2 and f/2, or need weather sealing, or need amazing bokeh, then yes.

+1 What he said.

The f/1.4 is fairly soft wide open, but has excellent sharpness after about f/2. I find myself shooting portraits at f/2.8 or so.

If you get the 50L, and plan on shooting at f/1.2 on a regular basis, get ready to reject a lot of photos until you get that kind of thin DOF figured out. It's tougher than it looks, but worth the effort in the long run.

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In landscape photography, when you shoot is more important than where.

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If you get the 50L, and plan on shooting at f/1.2 on a regular basis, get ready to reject a lot of photos until you get that kind of thin DOF figured out. It's tougher than it looks, but worth the effort in the long run.

It's actually not hard at all to shoot at f/1.2. I've shot plenty of portraits, food, street scenes, etc at f/1.2 and have gotten gorgeous images. Rarely are they out of focus. I know this is different from one person to another, even from one 50L to another but one shouldn't be intimidated or discouraged by f/1.2.

As for the 135L, you certainly can use it for portraits. It frames tighter because of its focal length. If you're gonna use it indoors such as in a studio environment, make sure you have the room to move about for framing. Otherwise, I'd recommend the 50L or the 85L which is really considered the king of portrait lenses. More inexpensive alternatives are the 100L macro and the 85mm f/1.8.

This is a little off topic but, is the 135L a good combination of portrait lenses?

There is no right or wrong answer to this. The 50L/135L are my go to lenses for almost everything. Others may prefer something completely different. You might want to try those out before making any significant investment. And there are obviously cheaper ways to get similar results so you better know exactly what you're looking for from either of these.

Look through the forum a bit since some of the folks here including myself have written up some of the advantages and disadvantages of these two lenses.

canon rumors FORUM

As soon as I bought my 5d mark ii the first lens I bought was the 50 1.2L I've always wanted it and I really enjoy it. I went to the national camera and looked at the 1.4 and 1.2 side by side and the choice was so easy. The 1.2 will hold its value if I ever want to sell it and its well built. Oh and a friend asked me to take some photos for her at her wedding reception and I basically almost exclusively used the 1.2 on my 5d and shot at 1.2-2.0 and it was so much fun! I love the photos you can create with it! If you can afford it get it I don't regret it, and I was on the fence about the price too because you could buy a few lenses for 1500$!

scottc

I had the 1.4, but the AF totally fell apart after one wedding season (to be fair, it was like 30k shots on it, so I got my money out of it!). A few years back, I ponied up for the 1.2, and have not been disappointed! I honestly don't think that either are super sharp wide open, but that's not really the point (at least for me, anyways) of shooting at 1.2 or 1.4. I have found the 1.2 to be far superior in other image properties, especially contrast - I can't tell you how many images came out waaay flat when shooting wide open on the 1.4. If you have the money, and like the 50 style (it's my favorite! and the 5d3 handles it so much better than the 5d2 did!), than you won't be disappointed by 1.2!

Also, if money is a concern, I'm not sure if anybody mentioned it or not, but the Sigma 50 1.4 seems to be a pretty legit option. I've not used one, but form what I've seen from other photogs, it's a lot better than the Canon 1.4 version.

Once I moved to the 5DII my 50 f/1.4 just sunk itself, it was good enough even wide open on a crop body, but now the overall image with that harsh bokeh is not pleasing to me. I shoot mostly at F/2 ~ F/2.8, and those settings produce better bokeh, though highlights begin to show octagon shape and that's not always cool.So for me it's either the 50L or Sigma 50, or I just go with the new Sigma 35 for something different~

If you're going to shoot between f/1.2 and f/2, or need weather sealing, or need amazing bokeh, then yes.

I know this quote is regarding the two 50's in question, but how does that "amazing bokeh" compare to the performance of the 35L? For a hobbyist, I've been lucky enough to spend money on equipment, but can only justify spending for one quality fast prime. Been debating quite a while between the two and looking at images I've gotten at either focal length I realize the photos I like the framing of could have been taken with either with a slight change of background. At the moment I have the opportunity to get a 50L for about $1200 (excellent condition).

I use a 7D with a 10-22, 24-105L, 70-200 2.8 IS II, 2X III. I don't have a specific intension for the lens, just want one lens to give me the ability to shoot creamy photos, shots by the fire, candle light, etc. I love long exposure night shots, which I do with what I already have, but would love the ability to capture reasonable walk around night shots. The 35L might have the edge on that last use on a 7D, as well as in smaller rooms if trying to get a full body shot, but I'm wondering if a good opportunity should bias the decision. Especially since I have not really been able to decide over the last months anyway.

I know this quote is regarding the two 50's in question, but how does that "amazing bokeh" compare to the performance of the 35L? For a hobbyist, I've been lucky enough to spend money on equipment, but can only justify spending for one quality fast prime. Been debating quite a while between the two and looking at images I've gotten at either focal length I realize the photos I like the framing of could have been taken with either with a slight change of background. At the moment I have the opportunity to get a 50L for about $1200 (excellent condition).

I use a 7D with a 10-22, 24-105L, 70-200 2.8 IS II, 2X III. I don't have a specific intension for the lens, just want one lens to give me the ability to shoot creamy photos, shots by the fire, candle light, etc. I love long exposure night shots, which I do with what I already have, but would love the ability to capture reasonable walk around night shots. The 35L might have the edge on that last use on a 7D, as well as in smaller rooms if trying to get a full body shot, but I'm wondering if a good opportunity should bias the decision. Especially since I have not really been able to decide over the last months anyway.

I prefer the 35L on a crop camera. It is more forgiving than the 50L and has better corner performance, which is nice as a walk-around lens. When I had a crop camera, the 35L stayed on it whenever I was indoors -- outside, I would switch to the 17-55. I found the 50mm focal length to be a bit tight for me indoors, but that is personal preference. After moving to FF, I tend to use the 35L more as a city-walkaround lens. The 50L's focus shift has been the subject of many threads, and it is real. I would not recommend the 50L if it is the first time you're trying to use a fast prime.

That said, it looks like Sigma's 35 may deliver better performance than the aging 35L. It might be worth looking into.